Engineers help deliver presents to Bosnian children

On a bright winter’s morning in early December six personnel from the Air Engineering Department (AED) at Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton arrived at Rose Mills’s industrial estate Ilminster, to pack Christmas shoe boxes for the children of Bosnia. 

Royal Navy personnel from the air station were ready to do their bit helping to send over 10,000 presents to Bosnia donated by the generous people of Somerset in time for Christmas. 

For the fifth year running personnel from RNAS Yeovilton have assisted the Samaritans helping to pack cartons filled with shoeboxes. This year over a 1000 cartons were packed, each containing around 10 shoeboxes which in turn completely fill an articulated lorry. 

The commandingofficer of AED Commander Mark Langrill said; 

 “Operation Xmas Child is something that is very close to the hearts of the personnel within AED, with many of them having served in Bosnia and witnessed first-hand the devastation left behind after the conflict and the poverty which still exists. Whenever operational commitments allow, we support our personnel helping local charities both those within the UK and those which support causes abroad.” 

 Ingrid Bloomfield from the Samaritans said; 

 “We are grateful for the support personnel from RNAS Yeovilton provide us with for this operation, without their help, packing all of these boxes would prove very difficult. The boxes, which are filled with a range of gifts from toys and pens to small items of clothing including hats and gloves, bring such joy to the children who receive them. It is great that we can count on the Navy’s help.